Rapids exercise contract options for eight players

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, December 10, 2013) – The Colorado Rapids announced today that the club has exercised contract options on eight players, with nine more already under contract entering the 2014 season. The team also declined contract options for eleven players, and has two players out of contract, though the team remains in negotiations with many players to bring them back for 2014.

“While we’ve had to make some difficult decisions already this offseason, we’re continuing to work hard to assemble our roster for the 2014 season,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “We’re negotiating with many players from our 2013 roster that we’d like to have back next year, but it’s always a difficult proposition to make everyone fit under the salary cap. We are excited about the squad we already have in place and the additions we’re hoping to make in the coming weeks.”

A total of 11 players had their 2014 options declined, though many may return to the club next year after contract renegotiations. Leaving the club are Diego Calderón, Jaime Castrillón and Steward Ceus, while the team is working with Brenton Griffiths, Kory Kindle, Germán Mera, Brian Mullan, Danny Mwanga, Martín Rivero, Jamie Smith, and Hendry Thomas to determine if they will return to the team in 2014. Two players are currently out-of-contract: Davy Armstrong, who will remain with the club under the terms of his current deal while rehabbing his ACL injury, and Anthony Wallace.

The Rapids finished the 2013 season setting several franchise records during the regular season and qualifying for the playoffs for the 12th time in team history. The club is expected to have the 11th overall selection in January’s MLS SuperDraft, after which the team will reconvene in Colorado for preseason. Season Tickets for the 2014 season are on sale now; for more information on the team, or to purchase tickets, call 303-825-GOAL or visit www.ColoradoRapids.com.